Design 101: Basic Reflection Tutorial

To start, paste your image into a new Photoshop file. Be sure to leave some room at the bottom for your reflection.

Next, duplicate the layer your image is on by right clicking the layer and select: Duplicate Layer.

Now select the bottom layer, and under edit > transform> Flip Vertical

Use the selection tool and move the image down so that the top edge is touching the bottom edge of the top layer.

Still using that same bottom layer, create a new layer mask.

Select the gradient tool, and make sure that your foreground color is black and your background color is white. In the gradient options, select linear foreground to background.

Make sure you still have the mask layer selected (you will see lines bordering the corners). Hold down shift and apply a gradient from the bottom of the canvas to the top of the bottom image.

Apply an opacity to your bottom layer, and you’re done!

NOTE: When working with reflections, it is important to note that reflections SHOULD NOT overlap. This is an example of what NOT to do:

This is correct:

More reflection tutorials to come. Stay tuned.